[drivingpairs] the big boys
Thanks Jay! I thoroughly enjoy watching the drafts in show. We have the opportunity to see them in Harrisburg quite often. This must have been a delight to watch. I particularly like the Percherons and the Belgians. Where did this take place? Since it's a covered arena, not an indoor, I'm assuming it was Texas, or CA? A warm state. We think it's time consuming to clean our carriages! Last summer I cleaned a roof seat break when I went as a groom for the Carriage Association convention. There are so many nooks and crannies. Those wagons are huge, and when shown properly, they glisten. I also admire the time they put into the grooming, the mane adornments, and cleaning those harnesses. I don't know how they lift those harnesses on the horses, it would take two people to lift the harnesses with silver.
I suppose everyone has neighbors with drafts. We live in the middle of Amish and old order Mennonites, so there are many Belgians in our area. That is their breed of choice. One family had Belgian Mules for quite awhile. Now they have strictly Belgians. Perhaps that cross was a bit stubborn or lazy? (no offense meant) Perhaps they didn't know how to deal with the mule mind. Anyway, it is not uncommon to see them working 3-5 horses abreast in the fields. I have never actually seen them work horses in any other configuration. Is this due to more pulling power? There would not be any leaders, so all horses are pulling at the same time? Watching the clip you sent, I wondered if this is considered safer, or more dangerous. If you have two wheelers, and two leaders, you have two minds working beside each other, instead of four. In other words, would you be more likely to have a run away situation with four horses abreast? Just wondering. 

Sharon in PA
This is one of the most awesome hitch classes you will ever see from the 2006 World Percheron Congress held last October. The original is in stunning digital clarity and almost has a dream like effect, over the Internet it loses much of its impact and color, but you will enjoy it nonetheless. The ground literally shakes when these big boys go rumbling by. Enjoy! 
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6390632649363807644&q=percheron&hl=en
Jay


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